THE results may not have gone to plan but there was no doubting the valuable experience Niamh Robinson gained when she took part in the Commonwealth Youth Games in Samoa.

The 15-year-old from Darwen travelled nearly 10,000 miles to represent the Isle of Man in the prestigious global gathering - but it was memories not medals she returned home with.

But while the trip to the South Sea island wasn’t quite what she would have hoped for in terms of results, it was yet another stepping stone in the career of the talented young swimmer.

The Pioneer 79 Swimming Club member competed in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow last year - where she was the youngest member of the Isle of Man team - but this was by far the furthest she had travelled to compete.

And with that came it’s own problems.

Niamh and her team-mates had little time to acclimatise and adjust to life in Samoa and that went someone to affecting her results.

But mum Sue is in no doubt that the trip served her daughter well who looks certain to be experience more ‘long haul’ competitions as her career progresses.

“It was a fantastic experience for Niamh as she could only dream of travelling to such a distant country,” said Sue, who herself represented the Isle of Man in the Commonwealth Games.

“Niamh’s results were most definitely not as she had hoped, however, with a number of factors going against her - including jet lag and not having the required time to adjust - she feels that taking these issues into account, her overall performance was good.

“Initially, she was pretty upset with the results but looking back, and taking everything in to consideration, they were pretty good.

“She thoroughly enjoyed her experience in Samoa, and hopes that in two-and-a half-year’s time, she will be in a much stronger position physically and mentally to compete for the Isle of Man again at the next Commonwealth Games which are to be held in the Gold Coast.”

It took Niamh, who was one of three swimmers in the IOM squad, two days to get to Samoa via London, LA and Auckland - which included a stop over and some last minute training - before landing in Apia just 48 hours before she began to compete.

Niamh’s first event was the 50m Butterfly. Her performance in her heat meant she finished ninth fastest, qualifying for the B final, however, although swimming faster in her final, she slipped down a place finishing 10th in a time of 28.88secs.

The second day, she returned to the pool for the 50m backstroke. She finished 11th after her heat, qualifying third fastest for the B final, but shortly after, she swam the 100m Breaststroke, qualifying fifth fastest for the A final.

Due to the finals being swum so close together, it was decided that Niamh would withdraw from the 50m Backstroke to concentrate on the 100m Breaststroke.

Although finishing yet again in a slightly faster time of 1min 12.44secs, she finished fourth - just being pipped to the bronze medal by Scotland’s Erin Robertson.

On the third day, Niamh swam the 50m breaststroke heat, in a time of 33.56secs, and qualified fourth fastest for the A final.

Shortly after was the 100m Butterfly, where she qualified fifth fastest for the B final after she was 13th overall.

In the A final of the 50m Breaststroke, Niamh finished in 33.39secs – faster than her heat but slipping a place into fifth. Again in the 100m Butterfly it was a similar result, swimming a faster time than her heat, however this time she maintained her position 13th overall in a time of 1min 04.69secs.

The final day saw Niamh compete in the 200m Individual Medley, having entered the competition ranked third, she felt it was achievable for her to possibly take a podium position.

After a very close battle in her heat, Niamh had qualified fifth for the A final. She returned to the pool in the evening session totally focussed, however, although yet again producing a slightly quicker time than in her heat, she slipped down into sixth position.

Mum Sue says it will be a big year in and out of the pool for her daughter as she combines school studies and exams with training and competing.

“The next 12 months will be crucial for Niamh as she has her GCSE’s to contend with, along with competing to a very high standard,” added Sue.

“Just last week, Niamh received the great news that she had been selected to compete for Lancashire again at the National County Championships 2015 in Sheffield at the end of October.”

n Niamh would like to thank TP Properties, Grace Cole Ltd and Lancashire Sport Partnership (Rising Star Fund) for their continued support who, without their assistance, she would not have been able to experience these amazing opportunities.

SWIMMING Club invitation to swimmers PIONEER 79 Amateur Swimming Club currently has spaces for aspiring swimmers to train in our Elite and Development Groups.

If you are or know of a swimmer that would be interested in training and competing alongside some of the top swimmers in the North West and Nationally, please do not hesitate to contact us on: Pioneer79asc@gmail.com or check out our Facebook page: ‘Pioneer 79 Amateur Swimming Club – Training Groups’ to arrange a swim trial with Head Coach – Mike Wilson.

Pioneer 79 is a swimming club where excellence abounds and where swimmers are provided the opportunities to inspire themselves to be the best they can.